THE PHANTOM CANOE. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE APPARITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 8

THE PHANTOM CANOE. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE APPARITION.

Mr G. L. Sise, who has just returned to Diinedin from the Hut Springs District, was one of the party of tourists who encountered the " phantom canoe " on Luke Tarawera shortly before the eruption, and, in view of the many extraordinary stories that have found publicity, it may be just as well to give an unvarnished account of the apparition. Stripped of its [ adornments — adornments not supplied by the narrator— the tale told by Mr Sise is something as follows :— His party, composed of mx Europeans and nine Maoris, started from Wairoa in a canoe at about 8 o'clock one iine morning to cross the lake to the terraces. When a little more than half way across another canoe emerged from the shore some distance to the northward, and kept a parallel course with them until a headland shut it from view. The strange | craft might have been half a mile or so distant, or possibly more, it is not easy to judge distance upon the water. Mr Sise 'thinks that about nine persons were counted in the " Phantom Canoe " not thirteen, and, as to their being " naked warriors " the craft was by no means near enough to ascertain whether they were clothed or not, and their was absolutely nothing en evidence to show that they were warriors. They might have been apple-women or nurse-girls. No warrior chief with feathers or anything else in his head-gear was seen brandishing bis spew in the prow of the boa]/, but three of the figures did rise to a standing posture after a while. Doubtless their reason for doing so was that they were tired of sitting down. The canoe was sufficiently close for Mr Sise to see the flash of the paddles of which there were three on the side nearest him. She was certainly heading in the direction of the old Maori burial place at Mount Tarawera, and the Natives in the tourists' boat whistled and shouted to the ghostly, paddlersbut received no answer. Their supernatural character was not, however, known to the Europeans at this time. It was only after lauding that Mr Sise and his companions learned that they had been watching the movements of spirits as ghostly as Vanderdecker's crew, and spirits, too, with a fine muscular development, as was evidenced by their style of paddling. Had Mr Sise known at the time that the canoe and the rowers were things of the air — false creations — he would very probably have been alarmed. As ho didn't know, he and his companions were as cool as when they emerged from their morning tub. But the natives were not, and thereby probably hangs the tale. Things were going very badly with the unfortunate Maoris about this time — some eight or nine days before the eruption. Lake Tarawera was rising and falling as it had never risen and fallen before within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, or his earliest ancestor. Typhoid fever had been about, and thirteen of the unlucky Natives had died within seven weeks. Moreover, among the deceased was an old and venerated chief whom they had of course kept above ground in a state of putrescence, and over whose remains they had been holding a great tangi. They had an old woman too amongst them at Wairoa — an infernal character, skilled in the black art — by whose machinations the defunct chief had been called to his account. They had also among them a tohunga, or professional prophet, who had served his apprenticeship to the business and had been sent for specially to curse the witch who had killed the chief. He was a vigorous and proficient curspr, and groat results were expected from his efforts. In view of all the&e disturbing elements it i* not surprising that Mr Sise and his companions found the poor Maoris at Wairoa greatly excited. Between present troubles and portents of gvt ater troubles to come they were in a state oi' a'oieet superstitious terror, and were prepared for anything marvellous from a. mermaid to a banshee Tho boat in which they were traversing the lake was the boat of the dead and dpesiying chief, and on board was on ancient harridan who rrooned dismally during the palace. This naturally did not improve mat ben , .an 1 tho consequence was that by the time the terraces were reached they had arrived at the conclusion that the end of the world was at hand, and turned to the pakehas with the cheerful announcement "We all die to-day." The only really peculiar feature about the incident according to Mr Sise's account is that the canoe seen was of a singular shape, raised at either end higher than usual, and"it is asserted by both Europeans and Maoris that there is no such canoe on the lake. This is, undoubtedly odd, to say the least of it, and Mr Sise ie inclined to the belief that it was a " got up arrangement " — a " put up job " — on the part of the tohunga, who was painfully aware that it was about time he did something for a living, and needed some unusual accessories to produce anything like a satisfactory effect upon the Maori public. An ethereal canoe, manned by phantoms is a very impressive apparition if viewed with due reverence, and in fact it should be part of the stock-in-trade of any properly regulated prophetic establishment. It is possible, therefore, that Mr Sise's surmise is correct. Whether correct or not, the bald facts in his narrative are as stated above.

, Wellington, June 18. The Auckland telegraph operators (Messrs Braithwaite and Griffiths) who were sent up to reinforce and relieve the local staff return to Auckland on Monday. Mr M'Donald, of Cambridge, similarly sent up, has not yet received orders for removal. Messrs Hean and Duthie, of the National Bank, left for Terangua this morning. The former was terribly punished by the Rotomahana expedition, but has now recovered. The party would never have reached Rotomahana after crossing the glacier and getting to the bed of clinker covered with a thick layer of ash but for M'Rae's self-devotion in strippiug off his shirt, notwithstanding the sharp frost, and forming sandals of it for the bare feet of the party. On the return journey Mr Hean was revived at intervals with stimulants, or he could pot have got through, a spare

flask for the party being carried for emergencies. The party in falling back on Rotorua again made for above Kaiterira, where, in one of his journeys from Wairoa since the eruption, M'Rae had buried a keg of whisky in the mud for emergency cases. Here the party got revivers for the remainder of the journey, and they were required. " M'Rae's blend," they declared, saved a life. Lord Clanmorris telegraphed up from Auckland to Mr Boscowen, of the Surveyor-general's department, Wellington, who proceeded from Rotorua ou a sketching tour to the scene of volcanic eruptions this morning, asking it' ho could accompany him. Mr Boscifwen, atter viewing the country from Rotorua, advised Lord Clanmorris not come.

In Puarenga Gorge, at the head water-race of the Rotorua waterworks, a boiling spring started to-day in the river underneath a large block of rock on the eastern side of the river. Mr Malfroy, inspecting engineer, has just returned from a visit to the works, and informs me that the spring is boiling with considerable violence. The water of the river is slightly discoloured and whitish.

M'Rat; has received a telegram from Auckland stating that his case regarding the insurance on the Wairoa Hotel will be" considered at a meeting of the directors of the Union Insurance Oompanv, though possibly no concession will be made, for the loss was by volcanic eruption and would form a precedent. The residents here sympathise with M'Rae in his losses, and would be glad to .see some consideration extended to him, not as a matter of right, for as a matter of fact the law on insurance is it, but as a matter of grace in recognition of the public service he has rendered. M'Rae despatched a party of men to-day with 10 horses, packs, falls, and tackle to extricate the waggon and dray embedded at theflat at Tikitapu Lake, and succeeded in getting the dray out, but failed in removing the waggon. The party despair now of getting it out, and state that the track to Wairoa round the lake is now certain death to anyone attempting it.

The wife of one of the Tahourangi survivors died to-day from the nervous shock and exposure on the morning of the eruption. She had previously been in the Rotorua Hospital for chest complaint. Borne half-dozen others are ill from shock. One got a leg broken by a stone falling during the eruption. The woman saved from Waitangiand old Rauieri are recovering at Whakarewarewa, as is old Tuhoto at the Government sanatorium.

A sharp shock of earthquake occurred between 2 and 3 o'clock this attcrnoon, and earth tremors have been felt all day.

A party of To Heuheu's people, thirty in number, arrived this afternoon from Taupo to hold a t;mgi over the dead at Wairoa, Mourea, and Arika. The Taupo Natives offered the Tahourangi survivors land at Paiora. Te Keepa replied thut Paeora was in the line of volcanic action from Tongariro to White Island. He had been hit once, and he did not want to be hit again. To prevent future complication the block would require to be ceded by the signatures of the owner, and the title clothed with a Grown grant, as.when the present "excitement was over the original owners might only grant the right of squatting. It has been suggested that the Government should take over the ruined country as a reserve, and give the 'fahourangis a block of Crown land instead. The Te Ngae Natives fear the_ land is ruined for the purpose of cultivation, but they have land on Mokoia and at Awhau in reserve. Possibly, after the present scare has passed away they will go back to Mokoia. The* Natives on the northern shore, however, report that since the rise of the lake at Ohinemutu they have perceived no change of the water level at Mokoia. They noticed on the northern shore stumps which they never perceived before, giving them the impression that the southeastern shore was becoming depressed. The Natives at Whakarewarewa. will also need some aid, as their cultivation at Te Katapu lake are all buried in mud. A suggestion has been made that the Government should make a series of small experiments with seeds on sand and on the mud on different blpcks in order to save the settlers and Natives alike throwing time and labour away. Mr Johnson, Government agent, at the request of Kecpa, is furnishing further supplies to the Tahourangi survivors. The latter are unwilling to set about building up a new jettlement till all the tangi ceremonia^ with the hapus yet to come in have been performed in accordance with Native etiquette and custom. Te Heuheu told Willcox, a Native interpreter, today that some ahorb time before the eruption Tongariro was in violent action. If this statement is correct it is strango the incident has not been reported by the Europeans in the district;^ A party went out to Rotomaoana to-day. Mr Dansey, officer of the telegraph station at Rotorua, who went, reports that the mud was hardening like cement. They took a horse within two miles of the back of the Pink Terrace, and got up easily. It is believed the volcanoes aie exhausting themselves.

One or two visitors have been able to go down to Rotomahana 1 and inspect the fumaroles. Only steam is being thrown up. The volcano had formed cones, and the water or liquid mud around the ledge, as well as what appeared to be two acres of water at the upper end of the lake when the steam cloud lifted, were perfectly placid. The extreme southern volcano only is active so far as regards throwing up stones, mud, &c. The others in the lake are simply steaming, such as the sites of the Pink and White Terraces and Devil's Hole. Owing to the steam they could not see Tarawera ranges distinctly, but the force of the earthquake had been great, as they saw huge pinnacles of rock thrown down from the cliff. On the Pink Terrace side the track to Tarawera Lake appeared to be muddylooking. From my outlook at Rotorua to-day Wahanga appeared tolerably quiet. The volcanoes are only throwing up columns of smoke at intervals. Ruawahia's cones were going pretty constantly, and long wreaths of smoke showed they were throwing up steam or dust clouds. Wreaths of smoke were over the great cleft in the Peak of Tarawera proper, and the cones have been throwing up slender columns at intervals. Judging from the bank of steam clouds at the present time of writing (9.40), all is pretty quiet along the volcanic chain, save at the Terraces.

10 p.m. a somewhat sharp shock of earthquake has been felt, and earth tremors are almost continuous. There is no further intelligence from Orakeikorako. (From Ouk Own Cobrespondents.) Rotorua, June 19. Finding Judge Mair and Mr Bold, telegraph inspector, intended visiting Kotomahana to-day, I decided to accompany them. The other members of the party were Messrs M'Kenzie (lineman) and Ginders. We took the road by Whakarewarewa, then into Patioriaka, and pushed off on to the old Galatea route now partly blocked. Along the route we saw carcasses of horses which had been overridden and deafcroyed in the earthquake. Iq the valley we

saw a dozen fissures, ranging in length from two chains to half a mile. Along ranges leading to Wsiroa we could see the red clay of the fissures halfway down them, looking like a fence for three or four miles. It also extended south of the track, and at two or three points there were fissures right across the track. At one or two points on the road huge boulders were scattered about, and some of these looked weatherworn. On gaining the final ridgo overlooking Wairoa we saw two horses picketed half-a-mile in the mad, which has now developed into hard dust or sand two feet deep, along which travelling can be made by walking in each other's steps. The day had opened with rain clouds, but at noon the sun shone out and we had a good view of the volcanoes. The scene is almost indescribable for its awf nlness and grandeur, and over -a vast tract of country the deep trails of travellers in the sand makes the delusion of its being a scene in the arctic regions perfect. To our surprise we saw a new lake formed west of Okaro but this may possibly be the drainage of the ranges. There is also a lakelet on the north some distance behind the Pink Terlace, mayhap of similar origin. Two men could be discovered a mile down the ranges on their way up again to their horses. On coming nearer we identified them as Mr Boscawen (attached to the Survey department) and Morgan his guide, both of whom I had met previously at an earlier stage .of the eruption. On coming nearer both men appeared fatigued! Boscawen's first inquiry was, "Haveyouadrop of water ? " and as we had taken some in a bottle it was at his service. Boscawen informed me that he and Morganlef bthe eampat daylight and startedforthe southern volcano which isnow dead,uoteveu emitting steam. Itisin averydangerous state through earthquakes this morning and there are fissures in all directions. He aubL Morgan were in it when they occurred, and he warned us against approachiug too near to it. Number 2 was throwing up boulders occasioually with steamclouds. Numbers 3 and 4 were emitting steam and, mud in small quantities. He stated that they had succeeded in getting sketches of the above series of volcanoes, and those on Tarawera also. To-morrow he would try to work round so as to get a view of the Pink Terrace volcano, and those in Rotomahana Lake. The deposit on the cone of one of the volcanoes appeared to be various colored bands like specfcroscopic colours. Mr Boscawen informed me he had got to the base of the cone and succeeded in getting some specimens of this peculiar stuff. He stated that last night at Smith's camp they had some sharp shocks, and thought the tentpole would fall in and the tent tumble upon them. After giving us tho best advice his examination of the ground enabled him to tender, he and his guide fell back on the camp for rest and .stores, and we pushed on. No other party had been over the land at this point, and we simply lifted his trail, going on to a point equal distant from Nos. 1 and 2 and about a quarter of a mile from the extreme southernmost one. The appearance of No. 1 or dead crater, as far as we could see from the opposite face of the crater, gave the impression of looking at a mound of gravel. At the southern end a huge mound of clay was piled up out of the cutting. |j Watching at intervals steam clouds from No. 3 could be seen with huge boulders going up in the air and falling back in the basin again. Nos. 2 and 4 seemed to be only steaming. At various points of oujr track the face of the sand field seemed to be pitted as if with smallpox. These marks were occasioned by great boulders, when thrown up on the night of the eruption, burying themselves in the sand. When the sun bioke through the rain clouds we got an end view of Tarawera proper, and the huge chasm was clearly seen. There was little activity in the crater, but it was burning and smoking vigorously along the northern rim to the summit. Volcanic action was going on in the face of the ranges towards Lower Kaingaroa. Facing Arika, north of the cleft, the slopes seem scarred by large vertical fissures, probably caused by avalanches of mud or sand. One thing puzzled us greatly. On the eastern slope of Tarawera, half-way down, appeared two huge patches of white deposit about a mile or two apart, while all around for miles appeared to be natural forest growth.. Bold scanned with his field glass, but was unable to determine its character. Some conjectured it was pumice or sand ; while others held it was an immense sulphur deposit, and this view was confirmed by Judge Mair, who said his brother, Captain Mair, had informed him it was sulphur deposit. After getting a- good view of the scene of volcanic action the party returned along the track of Boscawen. Okaro lake was still placid, as was also the new one. The burning mountain looked from its appearance and fire-scarred cliffs as if very little would cause it to make up its mind to start again. The return to the point where we had picketed our horses was very ttying, a strong southerly breeze sending up clouds of dust from the footsteps of those in advance, and it was necessary to tail off. Just as the last of the party were dipping over the range, crater No. 1 suddenly broke out and became as lively as ever, though Boscawen had never seen it in action during the whole day. The smoke commenced at the . north end of No. 1, and ran to the extreme south end of the huge rent. I can compare the rapidity of the advance of the smoke from end to end or the vast fissure to nothing but that of a locomotive with a full head of steam approaching and running through a deep railway cutting. Just at leaving the last ridge Rotomahana broke out with fresh vigour, throwing up a tall .black column, and in the cpntre steam clouds. Passing Boscawen's camp we found he had no water though provided with ample stores, and as my water-bottle was still half full I handed it over ijp him. Having neither food nor water from starting in the morning, the horses were revived by getting a supply of water a few miles outside Rotorua. As there was a probability still of the party being belated, Mr Bold decided to take the track off the Paeroa road to avoid the dangerous ford and hot springs at Whakarewarewainthedusk. Thepartysucceeded in getting out at Wairoa road just as darkness closed in, and not a moment too soon, as there would have been danger of diverging from the track into the lakelets between the track and Whakarewarewa. We arrived at Rotorua at 6 o'clock iv the evening. There was a slight shock of earthquake at Rotorua at 4.25 p.m. (Pee United Pbess Association.) ' Rotorua, June 19. Mr Hales, district engineer, and Messrs Coom and M'Lean (resident and assistant engineers), Fallon (contractor), and Hunter (of Stewart and Hunter), arrived from Auckland on account of the opening of the Lichfield line. After the Lichfield line was officially passed, they came on here. All, with exception of Mr Hales, left this morning to visit Rotomahana. Last night Arthur Hazard, brother of the late C. Hazard, Percy and Leonard Robinson, returned from an expedition to Wairoa via Kaiterira, bringing back the clothing of the Hazard family and settlers' bullocks and the Natives' cattle. They took three horses and a pack-horse, with shovels, to dig out the horew Iwhen bogged, or to «leap

the landslip. They found the Kaiterira track

as bad as that by Tikitapu, with landslips and avalanches of mud threatwningto preeipitatttthem off the narrow track alongside lake ltotokakihi into the lake. They slept in the runanga house at Wairoa on Friday night, bat owing to violent earthquakes they got little sleep, running outside at every shock. They had a terrible journey, taking 12 hours to reach Rotorua. Fortunately the rain clouds did not break over Wairoa, but were carried northward, or they would have had to abandon their horses and found their way on foot to save their lives. As it was, they had to dig out the horses twice, the suction of mud being such that the horses could not lift their feet. They have no intention of returning for more goods, as the experiment after yesterday's experience is too dangerous. The cattle brought out would have died in a day or two, as they were only gnawing the boughs of trees. The party report that strange Natives from inland settlements had come down Lake Rotokakahi in canoes and were plundering M'Rae's and Humphries' stores, clearing out blankets, clothing, &c. M'Rae has information that £2000 worth is gone and comparatively little is left save some quantity of tins of salmon and sardines, worth £100. The hotel linen is gone. Some of the plunder, it is stated, is being carried away to Upper Taupo Hazard's party found two Natives lying drunk in M'Rae's wrecked hotel, having broken into the spirit cellar. The other Natives had seized the' remainder of the stock of liq.ior and carried it away. Constable Cavanagh left to-day for Kaiterira to intercept the plunderers as they come back f rrom Waiaroa by Lake Rotokakahi. He recovered £40 worth of goods at Kaiteriria, the Natives bolting. The weather being fine, Captain Way, with a party of five mounted men and packhorses, left this morning

try and penetrate to Wairoa by Kaiterira to i recover the more valuable portion of his effpets. Shocks of earthquake have occurred at Rotorua. One at 330 am. was rather severe. During last night the line of volcanic action was remarkably quiet. This morning scarcely any bank of steam clouds are showing over the ranges. The birds found dead on the roads within the limit of volcanic eruption have been discovered to have had their bones broken by the force of the falling mud. I have received a telegram re procuring specimens of volcanic dust, stones, and mud for the Otago Museum. In conversation with Judge Mair on the matter, he made a very excellent suggestion — via., that the Government should instruct Mr H. D. Johnson, Government agent here, to procure a large and complete collection of specimens of dust, stones, and mud from each point of eruption, giving the names of the localities of each, such collections to be distributed among the whole of the museums of the colony. A collection of this character would have a scientific value, which could not be expected from some specimens obtained by private individuals. The majority of the press reporters have left for Auckland. The balance leave on Monday and Tuesday.

5 p.m. A heavy north-easterly gale with bitter steady rain set in suddenly at 2 o'clock, and it looks good for 24 hours. The first division of the party which went to Rotomahana this morning has just returned. The party separated on the field in two divisions, one going to the south volcanoes, th<>. other to the Pink Terrace. The southern party got caught by the gale on the sand fields in their shirts and trousers only. They at once struck back for their horses, which were left in charge of a Maori, and pushed on for Rotorua without a guide in the blinding rain, reaching here at dark. The Maori was left at the rendezvous with the remainder of the horses to await the return of the second division, which had M'Rae as guide, from the Pink Terrace. Up to the time of the closing of the telegraph office there were no tidings* of the party, but grent confidence was felt in M'Rae bringing them back safely. If unable to get through before dark they will probably take shelter in the buth and come on to-morrow. Sightseers from Auckland have no conception of the state of the country and dangers to bo encountered in seeing volcanoes, both through want of knowledge of the tracks and experience, and probably life will be. sacrificed before tbo present reckless visits of tourists and sightseers to the scene of the volcanic eruption is put a stop to. Boscawen. and Joshua Morgan his guide h.ive just come in, having abiiido'.ed the exploration of the volcanic region owing 1o the northeaster. .Being unable to do anything they returned by Kaiterira to try and get a look sit Wairoa. They found on reaching the Green lake that the Lake Rotokakaki track was impas-

cable with avalanches of mud. They are going out again as soon as the weather permits. They felt a sharp earthquake shock at three this morning. Morgan informs me the volcanoes are gradually exhausting themselves. He believes in a few weeks visitors will be able to go right down and inspect them. Constable Cavanagh has returned from Kaiterira. He reports that he did not see anything of Captain Way's party, which left by that route for Wairoa this morning. If the present rain continues fears are entertained that the mail coach on Tuesday will not be able to get through by the Te Puke route. Downe reports that he had a hard job to get here from Tauranga by that line through the stench along tha line at intervals of carcasses of cattle and horses killed by starvation and still lying unburied.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM WAIROA.

Rotorua, June 28. Arthur Warbrick arrived here after dark to-night in an exhausted condition, and reports

haviug cut his way through from Wairoa The

r following narrative will explain the position. On Sunday Captain Way obtained an order from Mr Johnson, Government agent, to proceed from here to Wairoa with the view of endeavouring to recover and bring out a portion of his personal effects at his residence. He obtained seven horses from Mr Robinson, coach proprietor, and had his own and that of a man named Foley. The party consisted of six, with three spare horses, the names of the party being Captain Way, Mrs Way, James Foley, John Clark, Fisher, and Warbrick, taking as provisions a dozen loaves, five bottles of water, and provender for two fe°ds for the horses. The party left Rotorua on Sunday morning at 9 o'clock, and as the spectators saw the cavalcade riding out the remark was generally made that the expedition was a foolhardy one, and that it was simply insanity for a lady to brave such perils which were terrible enough for men. Warbrick

informs me that the party wont to Kaiteriria, and, finding the Ratokakahi track absolutely dangerous, he gukle/1 it by a track only known to himself over the hills, comiug over the ranges at the south-east of M'Rae's, and reaching Wairoa at 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. A north-easterly gale with rain then caught them, and nothing could be done to recover the effects from Way's residence. All rested that

night at Sophie's whare. The rain pouring from the hills got through the sand, and avalanches came down from all quarters — from Kumete and from the ranges opposite M'Rae's across the flat, the thunder of them falling effectually preventing sleep as they poured over Wairoa falls and down the old bed of the river to Tarawera iulot. In the morning Humphries and a few others who had left Waiteriria by canoe reached Rotokakahi bridge and got into Wairoa. Shortly after Way's party loaded up their three pack-horses with Way's most valuable effects and started from Wairoa with the intention of reaching Rotokakahi bridge, and taking the track along the kiko ' previous :>?'- ••- noon, they made Wairoa flats, when the silo of the Native settlement was found to be a lake of mud. Skirting it they reached first the Wairoa bridge, where the horses got buried up. After tremendous exertion the men unloaded the pack-horses and got the whole nine horses out and returned to Wairoa between nine and ten o'clock. Humphries and his Natives dissuaded the party from making a second attempt but to wait for hotter weather. They declined, and Mrs Way was left at Wairoa in charge of Foley, and the remaining men of the party started at one o'clock on foot for Rotokaksihi bridge, stripping their trousers off. They reached it, but found the canoes swamped at the inlet to Wairoa river and a strong southerly gale blowing, in which a canoe could not have lived along Lake Rotokakahi. That was found in a frightful state, with a landslip threatening to project the party bodily over the slope into the lake. They came back to Rotokakahi bridge, but Arthur Warbrick being a splendid athlete determined to try and break through to Rotorua to procure assistance for the party hemmed in. His comrades begged him to return with them to Wairoa, as he would only sacrifice his life. He refused and came on, the rest going back. Several times on the track he had landslips in front and behind him, and expected to be shot bodily into the lake, but escaped. His intention if this had happened was, as he was a splendid swimmer, to have swam past the landslip and go on the bank by the aid of the trees. The tremendous exertions he had to make to get through to the track to Kaiteriria exhausted him, but he pushed through to Rotorua, arming here, as stated above, after dark dend beat. He states that the nine horses had the last feed this morning, and that the provender being exhausted, the horses must perish from starvation, as they can never be got out. The party used the whole of their five bottles of water yesterday, believing they could get out to-day. Warbrick says they could catch no rain on the roofs of the houses, as all were covered with mud. He got a little this morning by drinking out of the hollow print of a horse's hoof. The party are not badly off for provisions as they took a dozen loaves, .md the Maoris plundering M'Rae's store had left some of the stores, such as tinned meats, salmon, &c. The real difficulty is water, but some of the Rotorua residents say a cask of water had been planted and buried undor Humphries' house, and that he be.ing in Wairoa will know of the cache. On Arthur Warbrick reaching Rotorua to-night, Mr Johnson, Govern - ment agent was at once informed of the tidings. He authorised Black to procure three horses and arrange for the despatch, of the brothers Arthur and Alfred Warbrick and a brake to-morrow morning for Kaiteriria, giving them also orders to the chief of the settlement, Hohepa Tauhuroa, to furnish canoes to proceed to Rotokakahi bridge, when the Warbrick Bros, will make for Wairoa, bringing out the oarty to the bridge. Warbrick says that with the present strong southerly wind no canoes cm get back across the lake or indeed face the sea. He saw only the gunwale of Humphries' canoe in the sand ah Rotokakahi bridge, ai d knew it was hopelfss to trj' and reach K-uteriria by canoe, and never attempted it. The canoes on the lake he states are very poor affairs, and ore simply shallows. It is believed, as the p»rtv have provisions, they will be able to stay at Wairoa till the weather break-., and pacing showers, with ordinary ingenuity in catching rain, will furnish them with all the necessities of life in the way of v, ater.

As seen from Rotorua the line of volcanoes has developed but very moderate activity. The earth tremors at Rotorua have entirely ceased, which is regarded as a good sign. The springs about Ohinemutu are quiet, and some of the new springs, which broke out on roads am! elsewhere, h.tve stopped running.

Bohfawen is still here, owing to the unsc Uled weather. He is endeavouring to procure the concentrate I essence, of meat, so as to be able to abandon his camp for two days and look round the back of the Tarawera ranges. He and Morgan leave early to-morrow again for his camp, if the weather permits, with the intention of going on and finishing their inspection of the volcanoes at Rotomahana.

Boscawen informs me that af+ei: breaking up from his camp yesterday at Pakera to fall back on Rotorua till the weather got bettor, he went over to Kaiteriria, with the intention of going to Wairoa by lake Rotokakahi track to make sketches of Wairoa. On reaching Kaiteriria and proceeding along the track he found himself completely blocked by landslips, and he and Morgan, the guide, were compelled to return on their track and fall back on Rotorua by Kaiteriria. Boscawen has occupied his time in exploring Sodom and Gomorrah at Rotorua, and visiting the new geysers at Whakarewarewa, accompanied by Wildman, of the Thames Naval Biigade.

The Tatoke Land Court has been adjourned till the 21st July. Aland court will be held a Kikihane on the 29th inst., to deal with King country territory to the extent of two million acres. Major Mair desires me to correct an error in some of the published statements as to the Lake Tarawem boat expedition. It was not him (Major Mair) but his brother Capt. Blair who volunteered and was a member of the expediion.

A native woman named Roka from the island of Makoia has died. The Natives here held a taugi. Several native women are still ill from nervousness caused by the volcanic eruption.

May well, one of the men from Oripi bush, who volunteered to go to Wairoa, and assisted in getting the boats into Lake Taraweia, is now in the Rotorua hospital. He lost his boots in struggling through the bush on Satiu-d.'ty week, and was a week in the mud wmkinp.

Mr Thomson, an English tourist who was also of the party, found a new mud geyser had broken out since Boscawen hnd vi^ted the spot, a day or two ago, near to the black lakelet earned Tophet, throwing up liquid mud with naptha-oric looking matter floating on the surface. Boscowen reached the margin and procured specimens of the mud. Shortly after reaching Whakareware.wa a new geyser began to play magnificently throwing up ■; column of boiling water 40ft Boscowen got an excellent sketch The party had to wait for a lull in the action of the geyser. Torrents of boiling water from the geysers were pouring over the hot terraced ledgrs, and clouds of steam cut off their return to ihe path by which, they reached it.

Judge Mair left for Auckland to-day barefooted. His feet are in a bad state.

Mr Johnson, Government agent, has just ordered Constable C ivana^h to proceed to Kaiterira «mrl aid the Warbrick Brorf. in measures for the relief of the party hemmed in at Wairoa. All hope of saving the niiio horses is utterly abandoned. Ahors-owith siclo saddle is being despatched to Kaiterira for Mrs Way when she succeeds in getting through. Dr H< j ctor when here predicted, in a coriv.2rbat.ion I had with him, what has ove.ntuatod as rohult of the rain which has set in. (Jnlessthe Government ami police authorities put permptory .stop to settles adventuring to Wairoa on foolhardy expeditions to recover the mere wreckage of tht'ir property, some frightful catastrophe with serious loss of life will occur.